Chuck

This week I lost someone very near and dear to me. Thursday evening I was having dinner with some people from church when I received a phone call saying that something had happened to Chuck (Executive Director of Covenant Point Bible Camp) and that it didn't sound good. I didn't want to believe it...and really still do not. I immediately went out to camp and spent the evening grieving with those of us in the area. I was able to take Friday off and just be at camp...a major blessing! I had been asked to share at the Thanksgiving Service at church on Sunday night. I almost backed out, but I am thankful that I decided to share.

What I'm Thankful For...

When I was first asked to share I thought, "oh this will be easy, of course I have something I'm thankful for that I can share." Then I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the ideas-do I really focus in on one thing or do I share the many things that I am thankful for in life? But in light of everything that has happened over the past few days it quickly became VERY clear to me what I needed to talk about.

I'm thankful for Chuck and the life that he lived. He was an excellent example of so many things: servant hood, humility, faithfulness, simplicity, joy, the list goes on and on...

But what I really want to share tonight is how thankful I am for the concrete image of the body of Christ that I have experienced the past few days. I always knew there was something special about the Covenant Point community. I've been drawn to it my entire life. Since Thursday I have constantly been reminded of that blessing. As we have gathered for hours on end just existing together I have seen and felt God's love surrounding us.

It's hard to put into words something so beautiful and something as simple as a love that is overcoming things...big and hard things.

It's togetherness. I've been craving just being with my camp family at this time and God has had a way of bringing the phone calls when I needed them the most. Even though we have had few words o share I'm thankful to be connected. The time that I felt God the most was on Thursday night, just before I left camp, I was able to sit on the phone with two dear friends and just cry. We had no words to share; we just needed to feel each others presence.

I'm thankful for the shared tears and laughter. I'm thankful for the hugs. I'm thankful for the "I love you's." I'm thankful for the meals together. I'm thankful for the beauty of Covenant Point. I'm thankful for my ever-present God. But right now I am most thankful for this family, this body of believers, that God has blessed my life with.


Chuck Fraiser 1951-2010 "Well done good and faithful servant"